Cultural adjustment is considered to be a prerequisite for expatriate success abroad. One way to enhance adjustment is to provide employees with knowledge and awareness of appropriate norms and behaviors of the host country through cross-cultural training (CCT). This article analyzes the impact of pre-departure CCT on expatriate adjustment and focuses on variations in participation, length and the comprehensiveness of training. Unlike previous research, the study focuses on the effectiveness of pre-departure CCT for non-US employees expatriated to a broad range of host country settings. Employing data from 339 expatriates from 20 German Multinational Corporations (MNCs) the study finds CCT has little if any effect on general, interactional or work setting expatriate adjustment. However, a significant impact of foreign language competence was found for all three dimensions of expatriate adjustment. We used interviews with 20 expatriates to supplement our discussion and provide further implications for practice.

Published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management by Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Volume 19, Issue 12 December 2008, pages 2182-2197. The International Journal of Human Resource Management is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0958-5192&volume=19&issue=12&spage=2182

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